The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-12
A SENSATIONAL BABY.
ny OPIE F. READ.
-Detroit Free Press.


 A short time ago the newspapers announced the astonishing discovery of a -weeks-old negro child that could talk. The child made its ap- pearance in Little Rock, Ark, honor ing the family of Amos Bold, shift less old fellow. who during many years has lived under suspicion that his bread was not wholly earned by honest labor. A newspaper reporter, having heard among the negroes many superstitious mutterings with regard to the child, called at Bold's house and asked permission to see the sensational youngster.
 "Sartinly, sah," said old Amos; "step right in. We ain't maxim no secret uv dis mighty cu'is erfair. In fack, we likes fur folks ter come an tell us whut da thinks erbout suthin' dat takes us way back 'mong de meri- cles O de prophets. He's ersleep," Amos added, when he had shown the reporter into the family sitting room. "Set down we're. He woan' sleep laung. Peartest chile I eber seed in mer life. Wakes up in de night, an stead O howlin' makes observations, sah; he do fur CT fack-er plum naked an flat footed fack. Pears like de Lawd is err -payin' some mighty fine ertention ter me in mer ole age. 'Riah," ad- dressing his wife, chow laung is de little member O de legislatur' been er- sleep?"
 "Not laung dozea off jest now arter 'plainin' dat he wuz sorter tired"
 "Wall, dat legislatur' is got commit tee work ter do, an he oughtenter be dozin' off dis 'ere way. Jis keep yer seat, sah-jis keep yer seat, an de young man will 'nounce hissef putty soon."
 The reporter smiled with the sar- castle mirth of incredulity. During his career as newspaper man he had seen many strange things fade, upon investigation, into commonplaceness.
 The child moved and opened his eyes. "Dar," said old Amos" "I tole you he want gwine ter sleep laung wen dar wuz so much work on han. Ken I do any ything fur yer, son?"
 "You mout take some O dis kiver off," the child replied; "Pse too warfa."
 The reporter sprang from his seat and gazed in astonishment at the little black face. Old Amos, lowing with the patronizing air of a victor, said {: "Finds him ter be CT right peart chile, I reckon"
 Before the reporter could reply the child looked up and said: "Good mawnin', sah."
 The newspaper man hurried away and wrote a faithful account of his visit. The next day hundreds of peo- pie visited the wonderful child, and az every one confirmed the report the town was soon wild with excitement. A few days later the governor of Arkansaw received the following from the governor of Missouri:
 "MY DEAR SRA dispatch in yes- terday's St. Louis Globe Democrat gives the startling information that a six-weeks- old negro child in your city is able to converse with almost super natural intelligence. have but little faith in newspaper statements and ordinarily would pay no attention to such a report, but prominent citizen of my acquaintance claims that some one of his acquaintance has received a letter from your town confirming the almost incredible report. Please do me the kindness to investigate the matter and write me at your earliest convenience. Respectfully,
 "MARMADUKE, Governor"
 The following reply was received {:
 "MY DEAR SIR-Yours of recent date has just reached me. and take pleasure in showing aside numerous petitions for executive clemency in order that I may answer you. Yes terday, in company with the editor of the Arkansaw Gazette, our secretary of state, General J. F. Pagan, United States Judge H. c. Caldwell, and a dark-eyed gentleman who came here some time ago to get up real estate boom, called at the house of Amos Bold. Such crowds had fiocked to the place that Amos, who has always voted the right ticket when literally paid for the performance, decided to charge an admission fee of twenty i've for adults and fifteen cents for chill dren, free list suspended. The old fellow welcomed us effusively, neg lecting not the opportunity, as we paid our admission fees of thanking the Lord for graciously granting him the easy means of making money in old age. saw nothing strange about the appearance of the child. To me he seemed to be a strictly conventional